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Little John and the Miller 
Join Robin Hood's Band 



A Play in Tavo Scenes 
for Boys 



By 
PERRY BOYER CORNEAU 



OLD TOWER PLAYS 

CHICAGO 



P53505 



Presented for the first time at the 

Childrcns Civic Theatre 

Municipal Pier, Chicago 

1920 



©CI.D 59482 

py right 1921 
Boyer Cornea 

m 24 rj'zl 



Copyright 1921 
by Perry Boyer Corneau 



PEOPLE OF THE PLAY 

ROBIN HOOD 

THE MILLER OF NOTTINGHAM 

LITTLE JOHN 

WILL STUTELY 

A LAME BEGGAR 

A BLIND BEGGAR 

A DEAF BEGGAR 

A BOY (Fisherman) 

FOLLOWERS (Of Robin Hood, 
members of his band.) 



The play is based on the old ballads, in Ritson's 
collection, of "Robin Hood and Little John." and 
"Little John and the Four Beggars." 

Where scenery that is at all realistic is used 
it will be better to begin the second scene with the 
entrance of Little John, omitting the episode of the 
boy catching a fish. Its purpose is only to show 
that there is supposed to be water beneath the 
bridge where the conditions of production are such 
that it would otherwise be obvious that there is 
no water there. 



LITTLE JOHN AND THE MILLER OF 

NOTTINGHAM JOIN ROBIN 

HOOD'S BAND 

SCENE ONE 

SCENE : The edge of Sherwood Forest. 

Robin Hood, Will Stutely, and Followers 
are lying asleep on the grass. Robin Hood 
wakes. He rises, and going to Will Stutely, 
shakes him. Will turns over, muttering in 
his sleep. Robin shakes him again. 

ROBIN 

Will Stutely! 

WILL 
Go away ! ! 

ROBIN 
Get up. It is growing late. The sun is 
already above the tree tops of Sherwood. 

WILL 
Ugh ! ! Go away ! ! 

ROBIN 
(Shaking him again.) 
Come come 

WILL 
(Only half awake. Striking out and hitting 

Robin.) 
Go away ! ! ! 

ROBIN 
(Springing up and drawing his dagger.) 

5 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

Stutely, for that blow you are like to sleep 
till doomsday! 

(Will Stutely v/akes and recognizes Robin.) 
WILL 
(Falling on his knees in terror.) 

Robin Hood! Master! I struck 

you?! O Master, pardon! 

ROBIN 

(Putting away his dagger.) 

I pardon you. But if you could strike 

such a blow, Will, being awake, as you can 

in your sleep you would be a mighty fighter, 

indeed. — — — Come now. Waken the 

others. What a band have I! For 

eating and sleeping they have not their 
match in all merry England. 

(Robin and Will go about waking the 
Followers. They rise and gather about 
Robin.) 

WILL 
Now, Master, give us our orders for the 
day. 

ROBIN 

We have but scant store of venison Go, 
all of you, deep into Sherwood and bring 
tonight to the feasting place a stout brace 

of the King's deer. Will, remain 

with me. We will go Nottingham way and 

purchase good buttermilk and cheese 

and perhaps come by an honest penny 

6 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

or so on our way. 

(All go out, except Robin and Will, who 
sit down to mend their bows and arrows.) 

WILL 

Master, look! Three men coming along 
the road. 

ROBIN 
QuicJc! Behind the bushes till we see 
what manner of men they are. 

(Robin and Will hide behind the bushes. 
The Lame Beggar, the Blind Beggar and the 
Deaf Beggar enter. They stop and hold out 
their hands.) 

BLIND BEGGAR 
Help a poor bli-i-i-i-nd man!! 
DEAF BEGGAR 
Help a poor de-a-a-a-af man ! ! , 

LAME BEGGAR 
Stop it ! There is no one here to beg from. 

BLIND BEGGAR 
As we came along the road I thought I 
saw someone here. 

DEAF BEGGAR 
I was sure I hear voices. 

LAME BEGGAR 
You are not likely to find anyone here on 
the edge of Sherwood. 

(Robin and Will look out from behind the 
bushes.) 

7 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

LAME BEGGAR 
This is a lonely place. Let us count our 
gains and divide them into three equal parts 
as we agreed. 

DEAF BEGGAR 
Let us do so. 

(They take out money, which they count 
and divide. As they do so it is evident from 
their manner that they are neither really 
blind, lame, or deaf. Robin and Will watch 
eafrerlv.) 

LAME BEGGAR 
Now each has his fair and equal portion. 
To-day we will go into Nottingham. And, 
God willing, we shall gather in as much again. 
(The Miller is heard singing outside. The 
Beggars stand in line and try to look as 
wretched as possible. Robin and Will, who 
have come from their hiding place, go back 
quickly.) 

(The Miller enters, singing, carrying a 
large sack of flour on his shoulder. The 
Beggars hold out their hands, begging.) 
LAME BEGGAR 
Help a poor la-a-a-ame man ! ! ! 
BLIND BEGGAR 
Help a poor bli-i-i-i-ind man ! ! ! 

DEAF BEGGAR 
Help a poor de-a-a-a-af man ! ! ! 
(The Miller stops in astonishment and sets 
down his sack of flour.) 
8 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

LAME BEGGAR 
Help a poor la-a-a-a-ame man ! ! ! 

BLIND BEGGAR 
Help a poor bli-i-i-i-ind man ! ! ! 

DEAF BEGGAR 
Help a poor de a-a-a-a-af man!!! 

MILLER 
Away ! I have nothing to give you. 
BEGGARS 
la-a-a-a-a-ame 
Help a poor — bli-i-i-i-i-ind man!!!!! 

de-a-a-a-a-af 
(TheMiller covers his ears with his hands.) 

MILLER 
Away, vagabonds ! I am an honest miller. 
I have nothing for such as you. 
LAME BEGGAR 

Suppose j^ou were lame like me ? 

MILLER 
I'd dance for my living. 

BLIND BEGGAR 

Suppose you were blind like me ? 

MILLER 
I'd get a bow and arrow and shoot ducks. 

DEAF BEGGAR 

Suppose you were deaf like me ? 

MILLER 
rd play the flute for my living. You are 
cheats, that's what you are! 
9 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

ROBIN 

(In a rage, wading ashore and drawing 
his dagger.) 

BEGGARS 
Cheats ! ! ! ! ! 

BLIND BEGGAR 
(Raising his cane.) 
I'll teach you to slander honest men ! ! 
(The Miller snatches away the cane and 
knocks down the Lame Beggar and the Blind 
Beggar who lie on the ground howling and 
rubbing their heads. The Deaf Beggar runs 
away.) 

MILLER 
(Calling to Deaf Beggar.) 
Stop! Come back. 

(The Deaf Beggar returns and kneels, 
trembling, before the Miller.) 
MILLER 
You begged from me. Yet Til warrant you 
three have more gold about you than ever I 
had in my life. 

(Searching them and finding the money.) 
Ha! I thought so. 

BEGGARS 
lame 
Have mercy! I am blind !!! 
deaf 
MILLER 
Now, you rascals, begone! 
(He beats the Beggars, who run away 
howling.) 

10 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

MILLER 

Ha ! Ha ! I have made the lame walk, the 
blind see, and the deaf hear! 

(The Miller picks up his sack and goes out.) 
(Robin and Will come out from their hiding 
place.) 

ROBIN 
Did you see that, Will Stutely?! 
WILL 

Gold gold . 

ROBIN 
Aye, gold. And we have sore need of gold. 
Will. 

WILL 
Robin, we have indeed. 
ROBIN 
Quick ! Follow him. 

WILL 
Not I, Robin. 

ROBIN 
Do you not want his gold? 

WILL 
I do indeed want it. But taking it from 
him; that's another matter. He is a stout 
man, and all too ready at fighting. 

ROBIN 

We are two to one. 

WILL 
The beggars were three to one, Robin. 
11 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

ROBIN 

It were better we had more men for this 
business. Will, go you and find the others 
of our band. I will follow the miller. By 
forest paths I can arrive at the bridge 
across the stream before him. His sack of 
ilour is heavy. He must stop often for rest. 
Bring the m^en thither. If he arrives before 
3'ou I will delay him there till you come. 
WILL 

I shall have our men there with all speed, 
Master. 

(Robin and Will go out, in different direc- 
tions.) 



END OF SCENE ONE. 



12 



Lttlie John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 



SCENE TWO. 

SCENE : The place where the road crosses 
the stream. On the right a small bridge. On 
the left the road and the grassy banks of the 
stream. At back and on the sides trees and 
bushes. 

A Boy is seated on the bridge fishing. After 
a moment he pulls up his line and finds he has 
caught a fish. He then crosses the bridge and goes 
out. 

A moment's interval. 

Little John enters from the right and ap- 
proaches the bridge. He is extremely tall and 
thin, and, while dressed in a somewhat similar 
manner to Robin Hood's men, is evidently not one 
of them. He wears a long black feather in his cap 
and carries a staff in his hand. From the ar- 
rogant manner in which he saunters toward the 
bridge it is evident that he has i\ very good opinion 
of himself. 

Robin Hood, carrying bow, arrows, and horn, 
enters from the other side and also approaches 
the bridge. 

They do not see each other until they are both 
on the bridge. They stop in surprise. 

LITTLE JOHN 

Ho. Stranger! 

ROBIN HOOD 

(Courteously.) 
Good dav to you. 

LITTLE JOHN 
(Arrogantly.) 
Back and let me pass! 

X3 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

ROBIN 

(After looking at him a moment in sur- 
prise, with rising anger.) 

Never shall I move from this spot but to 
go forward. 

LITTLE JOHN 
Back! And quickly! 
(Little John raises his staff threateningly.) 

ROBIN 
So ? ! I'll show you right Nottingham play, 
Stranger. 

(Robin fits an arrow to his bow.) 

LITTLE JOHN 
None of that! Draw bow-string and you 
will bear the marks of my staff forever. 
ROBIN 
Fool! Before you could lift an arm my 
arrow would be in your heart. Back! If 
you care for life. 

LITTLE JOHN 
Now you are a coward indeed, I say. Were 
you armed only with a staff as I am I would 
make you sing a different tune. 

ROBIN 
Coward, am I?! 

(He looks toward the bank.)' 

Wait where you are. I see a likely -looking 

piece of wood on the bank that will serve me 

for a staff. When I have done with you 

you will wish I had used my bow instead. 

14 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

(Robin descends from the bridge. He lays 
his bow on the bank, and, picking up the 
staff, returns to the bridge and approaches 
Little John, who awaits him confidently.) 

LITTLE JOHN 
(Laughing derisively.) 
Beware, Stranger! The stream is swift 
and deep. 

ROBIN 
You will find it so. Stranger. Ready? 

LITTLE JOHN 

With all my heart! 

(They fight. Robin nearly loses his bal- 
ance, but recovers it before Little John can 
strike. Little John does the same.) 

LITTLE JOHN 
(Striking Robin.) 
A present for you ! 

ROBIN 

(As he returns the blow.) 

One in return ! 

(The ^)!7h{ rontiraio-. A< Iris^, on receiving an 
uniiiiially hard blow, Robin, wildly trying to 
nipintain his balance and his footing on the bridge, 
falls into the stream. Little John crosses the 
bridJ^e and stands on the bank laughing.) 

LITTLE JOHN 

Ha! Ha! Good fellow, where are you now?! 
15 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

A thousand torments ! I was like to have 
drowned. Stranger, this is an ill day for 
thee! Know that I am Robin Hood! 

(Little John, astonished, stops laughing. 
Robin puts away his dagger and blows his horn 
After an instant he blows again. Will comes 
running in from the woods on the opposite bank 
He halts before the bridge and looks about. Then, 
seeing Robin, he mounts the bridge and crosses.) 

WILL 
(On the bridge.) 
Master, are you in danger? 

ROBIN 
Yonder villain was like to have drowned 
me! 

(Will turns toward the woods and beckons. 
The Followers enter and run across the 
bridge.) 

WILL 
(To Followers. Pointing to Little John.) 
Seize him! 
(The Followers rush upon Little John.) 

WILL 

Into the stream with him ! 

(They are about to throw Little John into 
the stream when Robin bursts out laughing 
and motions to them to stop.) 

ROBIN 

Stop! The stream is too damp and cold. 

Stranger, you are a stout fellow 

and a good fighter. Will you not join my 

16 



Little John and the Miller Joi n Rohin Hood's Band 

band? I will make you second in command 

over it. 

LITTLE JOHN 
Aye, surely will I join your band. But it 
seems to me I should be first, or at least 
equal in command. 

ROBIN 

What is that you say?!! 

LITTLE JOHN 
Have I not beaten you at quarter-staff? 
Am I not the better man ? 

ROBIN 

Stranger, what is your name ? 

LITTLE JOHN 
John Little is my name. 

WILL 

John Little! From the size of him he 
should be called rather Little John. 

(All laugh and cry out "Little John ! Little 
John!") 

ROBIN 

Little John, you would rule this band 
equally with me, or alone. It needs a strong 
arm. Your arm is strong indeed — as I well 
know. 

(Robin rubs the spot where Little John 
hit him. All laugh.) 

But it is the head that makes one fit to 
rule. If your mind be as good as your strong 
17 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

right arm I will yield you leadership readily 
indeed. 

WILL 
The Miller! We forgot the miller. Here 
he comes! 

ROBIN 
Prove now, Little John, the cunning of 
your brain. Hither comes a miller with a 
store of gold in the sack which he carries on 
his shoulder. Take Will Stutely and one 
other and set upon the miller and make him 
give up his gold. Not to rob him, but to show 
your skill. If you do this without mishap I 
shall know that maybe you are fit to equal me 
in leadership. 

LITTLE JOHN 
Why, that is easily done. And alone. I 
do not need the help of your two men. 
ROBIN 
The miller is a stout man. He has just 
beaten three as lusty beggars as I ever laid 
eyes on. 

LITTLE JOHN 
Let the two stay then. 

ROBIN 

Take this horn. And if you need my help 
blow it heartilv. 

LITTLE JOHN 
I shall not need your help. 
(Little John takes the horn nevertheless.) 
18 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

ROBIN 

Quick, men, into the forest! You, Will, 
and you, remain with Little John. The rest 
with me. 

(Will and the Follower addressed by Robin 
remain with Little John. Robin and the rest 
of the Followers go.) 

(The Miller enters. He walks more slowly 
than before and is evidently hot and tired.) 
LITTLE JOHN 

Hold, miller! 

(The Miller stops and sets down the sack 
in relief, glad of an excuse for resting and 
wiping perspiration and flour from his face.) 
LITTLE JOHN 
Your sack of flour is heavy, miller. 

MILLER 

Aye, it is that. 

LITTLE JOHN 

It might be there is more than flour in it. 
MILLER 

There might be and there might 

not. 

WILL 
It would be well for us to see. 
LITTLE JOHN 
(To Follower.) 
Empty the sack. 

MILLER 

No ! No ! ! Do not empty it. 
19 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

LITTLE JOHN 
(To Follower.) 

Empty the sack. 

MILLER 

I beseech you! I am only a poor miller. 
Do not waste my flour. It is true there is 
money in the sack, hidden in the flour. I 
will take it out for you. If you spill my flour 
I am ruined. 

LITTLE JOHN 

Why, take it out yourself then. 

(The Miller bends over the sack and 
plunges both hands into it. Little John, Will, 
and the Follower lean over it, watching 
eagerly.) 

WILL 

Do you hear the gold pieces clinking ? ! 

(Suddenly the Miller rises and throws two 
handfuls of flour into their faces. They jump 
about, howling, and rubbing their eyes.) 

LITTLE JOHN— WILL— FOLLOWER 

Ow!!! Ow!!! Murder!! Help!! Ow!!!! 

(The Miller seizes a stick and beats them 
unmercifully.) 

(Little John blows Robin's horn. Robin 
and Followers enter.) 

MILLER 

Robin Hood ! It is your men I have beaten ! 
Pardon! I would not knowingly harm any 
of your band. For you are the friend of all 
honest men. 

20 



Little John and the Miller Jo in Robin Hood's Band 

ROBIN 

They sought to play a joke on you, miller. 
You have paid them back soundly. You are 

a stout man indeed. Will you not join my 
band ? 

MILLER 

It would be the happiest day of my life. 
Robin, had I known they wanted for you the 
gold I took from the three lusty beggars it 
would have been yours instantly. 

(The Miller bends over his sack and plunges 
his hands into it again. All crowd around, 
expectantly. As he withdraws his hands Little 
John, Will and the Follower draw back 
hastily. But this time his hands are full of gold 
pieces. 

MILLER 

Robin, these are yours. 

ROBIN 

No, miller, you won them fairly. Keep 
them. 

MILLER 

Then let one of your men take some of this 
money and go to some farmhouse and buy 
provisions for a feast. 

(The Miller gives money to Follower, who 
goes out.) 

ROBIN 

Little John, are you satisfied now to be 
second in command ? ,- 

21 



Little John and the Miller Join Robin Hood's Band 

LITTLE JOHN 
Aye, that I am, Master. If only you set me 
never again to rob an honest miller. 
ROBIN 
I am a fortunate man. For to-day I have 
gained for my band two of the best men in 
all England. Come. Let us go into the 
depths of Sherwood and make ready for our 
feast. 



END OF THE PLAY 



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